Police say woman trashes store, slaps clerk

A Brockton woman was charged with assaulting a store clerk and damaging items after she was approached by the clerk for shoplifting Monday night, police said.

Benjamin Paulin The Patriot Ledger @BPaulin_Ledger

BROCKTON - A Brockton woman was charged with assaulting a store clerk and damaging items after she was approached by the clerk for shoplifting Monday night, police said.

Sarah Phillips, 34, of 6 Monarch St., was charged with shoplifting, assault and battery and malicious destruction of property over $250.

Brockton Police Lt. Robert Sergio said Phillips was inside Montello Express Gas at 158 Montello St. when the store clerk saw her stuff several items into her pockets and then leave the store around 9:45 p.m.

The clerk followed Phillips into the parking lot and confronted her, pulling her by the hood of her sweatshirt. Snacks and candy fell out of her pockets, police said.

"She turned and slapped him in the face. Defending himself he hit the defendant back and she hit him again," Sergio said.

Phillips then went back into the store and swiped her arm across the counter knocking items off to the ground and damaging them, police said.

Police responded to a report of an assault in progress and placed Phillips under arrest.

Phillips is expected to be arraigned in Brockton District Court Tuesday.